Access Guide
Summary
- View information about opening hours.
- The most accessible entrance has a step and a gate.
- This entrance is on the west side of the castle site.
- There is not a member of staff available for help and assistance.
- Staff/volunteers can describe the layout and access around the site.
- The following are also available: seating.
- This site is not part of the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.
- The nearest toilet with adaptations for disabled people is just off the courtyard near the entrance to the castle café. View information about this toilet (new tab).
Equipment and Resources to Borrow
- You can borrow or hire the following equipment: manual wheelchairs. It is highly recommended that these are booked in advance, where this is possible. Please check the National Trust website for details.
- Sensory packs can be borrowed which include: ear defenders, fidget toys, binoculars, magnifying glass and torch.
- You can borrow these from the visitor centre. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
- You can borrow or hire the following mobility vehicles: a mobility scooter. It is highly recommended that these are booked in advance, where this is possible. Please check the National Trust website for details.
- You can borrow these from the visitor centre. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
Route to (the Walled Garden)
- After exiting the visitor centre follow the gravel path up the hill.
Turn right then bear right, keeping the castle to your left.
Shortly afterwards take the path to the right signposted to the walled garden.
Follow the path uphill then steeply downhill until you reach the entrance to the walled garden. - The route to the area is step-free via a slight ramp/slope and is step-free via a steep ramp/slope.
- Path surfaces along the route are gravel.
- The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- There is a shuttle which can take visitors to this area, but wheelchair users will need to transfer into it.
- The visitor shuttle can take a wheelchair but it needs to be folded up first.
Outdoor Spaces
- This information is for the access point located on the west side of the castle site.
- Access into the area is via a step.
- There is 1 step, which is unmarked, with no handrails.
- There is a gate at the surveyed access point which is permanently held open.
- The width of the gap is 143cm.
- The outdoor spaces include the following surfaces: concrete or tarmac, loose chippings and grass.
- Footpaths are available in all of the outdoor space.
- The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- There is no step-free level access around the area.
- There are steep ramps/slopes without handrails and more than 3 steps with handrails in the main areas.
- Slopes and steps can be found in the left half of the garden after you enter.
- There are some bench seats situated along the paths for people to rest.